Fast-Moving Storm With High Winds Headed To Eastern PA

SOUTHEASTERN PA — A fast-moving weather system could bring destructive winds and heavy rain to southeastern Pennsylvania early Friday.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement Friday morning, noting that a front with particularly strong gusts was headed through southeastern Montgomery and central Bucks counties.

The gusts are likely to impact the area through 10 a.m.

The storm front, which also included heavy showers, was tracked in a line from Ottsville to Abington at around 9:14 a.m.

Gusts of up to 40 miles per hour have already been recorded.

Trees and power lines could be knocked down, and unsecured items could be swept away.

"If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building," the National Weather Service warns.

Total rain amounts of a quarter to a half an inch are predicted, but locally higher amounts are possible. Some minor localized flooding could come along with this rain, according to forecasters.

Most of the storm front is expected to pass through the area by around 3 p.m., with clear skies sweeping through immediately after.

Another round of light showers is in the forecast for most of the state on Saturday afternoon after 1 p.m. Skies are expected to clear by the evening leading into Sunday, which should be dry and mostly sunny, forecasters said.

As a cold front sweeps in, temperatures are expected to drop throughout the weekend, forecasters said. Finishing out the past week of mild weather, Friday will see a high near 65 degrees. Overnight temperatures could be in the low 40s, dropping to the low 30s by Saturday night.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Friday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then a slight chance of showers between 3pm and 4pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 65. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday

A chance of showers, mainly between 10am and 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 60. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night

A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 20%.